Occupant detection method and occupant detection device

Abstract

To provide an occupant detection method and an occupant detection device that can set an on-vehicle system with a profile associated with a driver who drives a vehicle and further control the on-vehicle system in different modes depending on a passenger who rides on the vehicle with the driver.SOLUTION: An occupant detection method and occupant detection device receive radio waves from one or more portable units located around a vehicle using multiple receivers, and extract the portable unit that is closest to a driver's seat of the vehicle as a specific portable unit based on a relative position of the portable unit with respect to the vehicle, which is specified based on the radio waves. Then, an on-vehicle device installed in the vehicle is set according to a profile associated with the specific portable unit, and a mode for controlling the on-vehicle device is set based on presence or absence of other portable units excluding the specific portable unit among the portable units.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an occupant detection method and an occupant detection device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which ultra-wideband (UWB) radio waves transmitted from a user's portable device are received by multiple wireless devices mounted on a vehicle, the direction of arrival of the UWB radio waves is calculated from the difference in the arrival times of the UWB radio waves, and the position of the portable device is calculated based on the direction of arrival. According to this technology, the door of a vehicle close to the portable device is unlocked based on the calculated position of the portable device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-99289 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] According to the technology described in Patent Document 1, the driver who drives the vehicle is not specified, and the in-vehicle system cannot be set with a profile associated with the driver. Furthermore, there is a problem that the in-vehicle system cannot be controlled in different modes depending on the passenger who rides in the vehicle with the driver.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and aims to provide an occupant detection method and an occupant detection device that can set an in-vehicle system with a profile associated with a driver who drives a vehicle and control the in-vehicle system in different modes depending on a passenger who rides in the vehicle with the driver. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an occupant detection method and an occupant detection device according to one aspect of the present invention receive radio waves from one or more portable devices located around a vehicle using multiple receivers, and extract a portable device that is closest to a driver's seat of the vehicle as a specific portable device based on a relative position of the portable device with respect to the vehicle that is determined based on the radio waves.Then, an in-vehicle device mounted on the vehicle is set according to a profile associated with the specific portable device, and a mode for controlling the in-vehicle device is set based on the presence or absence of other portable devices excluding the specific portable device among the portable devices. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, the in-vehicle system can be configured with a profile associated with the driver operating the vehicle, and further, the in-vehicle system can be controlled in different modes depending on the passenger who is riding in the vehicle with the driver. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an occupant detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the occupant detection device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the positional relationship between portable devices and receivers located around a vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0010] [Configuration of occupant detection device] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an occupant detection device according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the occupant detection device according to this embodiment includes receivers P1 to P4, a sensor group 71, a database 73, and a controller 100. The controller 100 is connected to the receivers P1 to P4, the database 73, and the in-vehicle device 400 via wired or wireless communication paths.

[0011] 3, the receivers P1 to P4 are mounted in a vehicle VC. For the purposes of the following description, the vehicle VC is assumed to include a driver's seat ST1, a passenger seat ST2, a rear seat ST3 on the driver's side, and a rear seat ST4 on the passenger's side.

[0012] The receivers P1 to P4 receive radio waves from one or more portable devices located around the vehicle VC. In Fig. 3, an example in which four receivers P1 to P4 are mounted on the vehicle VC is shown, but this is not limiting. For example, four or more receivers may be mounted on the vehicle VC.

[0013] For example, the receivers P1 to P4 are ultra-wideband (UWB) antennas that receive UWB radio waves transmitted from a portable device. Alternatively, the receivers P1 to P4 may be antennas compatible with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).

[0014] The portable device may be a mobile phone, a smartphone, a smart watch, or other wearable device used by a user. The portable device may have an identifier for identifying itself, and may transmit identifier information to the receivers P1 to P4 by radio waves.

[0015] Receiver P1 is a first receiver provided on the front side and driver's seat side of vehicle VC when viewed from the body center of vehicle VC. Receiver P2 is a second receiver provided on the front side and passenger's seat side of vehicle VC when viewed from the body center of vehicle VC. Receiver P3 is a third receiver provided on the rear side and driver's seat side of vehicle VC when viewed from the body center of vehicle VC. Receiver P4 is a fourth receiver provided on the rear side and passenger's seat side of vehicle VC when viewed from the body center of vehicle VC.

[0016] For example, as shown in Fig. 3, among receivers P1 to P4, receiver P1 is the receiver located closest to the driver's seat ST1. Receiver P2 is the receiver located closest to the passenger's seat ST2. Receiver P3 is the receiver located closest to the rear seat ST3 on the driver's side. Receiver P4 is the receiver located closest to the rear seat ST4 on the passenger's side.

[0017] The radio waves received by the receivers P1 to P4 contain signal pulses, and the transmission time at which the signal pulses were transmitted from the portable device can be obtained. The propagation time of the signal pulses can be obtained from the difference between the reception time at which the receivers P1 to P4 received the signal pulses contained in the radio waves and the transmission time. The distance between the receivers P1 to P4 and the portable device can be calculated by multiplying the propagation time by the speed of light. Additionally, the receivers P1 to P4 may detect the direction from which the received radio waves come.

[0018] The in-vehicle device 400 is various devices mounted on the vehicle VC. For example, the in-vehicle device 400 may include a speaker, or may include various information terminals having a display. The in-vehicle device 400 may also include a music player. Furthermore, the in-vehicle device 400 may include a vehicle control device that controls the suspension of the vehicle VC, the cruise control of the vehicle VC, and the position and posture of the seats mounted on the vehicle VC. In addition, the in-vehicle device 400 may include a locking / unlocking device that controls the locking / unlocking of the doors of the vehicle VC and the door of the trunk room of the vehicle VC.

[0019] The in-vehicle device 400 is controlled within a range of control permitted by a "mode" set by the controller 100, which will be described later.

[0020] The sensor group 71 detects attributes of occupants and the like in the vehicle cabin of the vehicle VC. For example, the sensor group 71 may include a camera. The sensor group 71 may acquire information for identifying the occupant as an attribute based on an image captured by the camera. The sensor group 71 may acquire the occupant's physical build, gender, age, and the like as the occupant's attributes based on the captured image. The sensor group 71 may also include a seat load sensor. The load sensor may acquire the occupant's physical build, the presence or absence of luggage placed on the seat, the weight of the luggage, and the like as attributes of the occupant and the luggage associated with the occupant.

[0021] The database 73 stores an identifier for identifying a portable device used by a driver (user) of the vehicle VC, and a profile linked to the identifier. Here, a "profile" is data in which the setting contents of the in-vehicle device 400, which will be described later, are recorded for each driver. By switching the profile set in the in-vehicle device 400, the in-vehicle device 400 can be controlled in accordance with the driver associated with the profile via the identifier. In addition, a profile may be linked to a portable device used by a user other than the driver, as specified by the driver.

[0022] Each profile recorded in the database 73 is associated with one or more modes. Here, a "mode" is data indicating the range of control permitted in the in-vehicle device 400. Which mode is selected from among the modes associated with a profile depends on whether there is a passenger other than the driver riding in the vehicle and the relationship between the driver and the passenger. The modes associated with a profile include at least a "normal mode," a "first passenger mode," and a "second passenger mode."

[0023] Here, the "normal mode", "first passenger mode", and "second passenger mode" will be described. In the "normal mode", all controls are permitted in the in-vehicle device 400. The "normal mode" is selected when there is no passenger other than the driver in the vehicle VC.

[0024] The "first passenger mode" is selected when there is a passenger and the portable device of the passenger is a passenger who is linked to a profile in advance. The range of control permitted in the in-vehicle device 400 indicated by the "first passenger mode" may be set by the driver when linking the portable device of the passenger to his / her own profile. The range of control permitted in the in-vehicle device 400 indicated by the "first passenger mode" may be set by the driver by selecting or customizing from templates registered in advance in the occupant detection device. In addition, the driver may pair information indicating the attributes of the passenger with the "first passenger mode" and link it to the profile.

[0025] The "second passenger mode" is selected when there is a passenger and the portable device of the passenger is not a passenger previously linked to a profile. The range of control permitted in the in-vehicle device 400 indicated by the "second passenger mode" may be set in advance by the driver. The range of control permitted in the in-vehicle device 400 indicated by the "second passenger mode" may be set by the driver by selecting or customizing from templates previously registered in the occupant detection device.

[0026] The range of control permitted in the in-vehicle device 400 in the first passenger mode and the range of control permitted in the in-vehicle device 400 in the second passenger mode may be different.

[0027] As an example, consider a case where the passenger is a family member of the driver. The range of control indicated by the "first passenger mode" may include changing the sound settings of the headrest speaker included in the in-vehicle device 400. For example, when the passenger sits in the back seat, control may be permitted to prioritize the sound field for the back seat. The range of control indicated by the "first passenger mode" may also include adjusting the output of the headrest speaker. For example, control may be permitted to output sound only to the seat in which the passenger sits, thereby reducing power consumption. These allow the passenger to ride in the vehicle VC more comfortably.

[0028] As another example, consider a case where the passenger is a child. The range of control indicated by the "first passenger mode" may include a mild driving setting (suspension / driving mode setting) by the vehicle control device included in the in-vehicle device 400. Also, the range of control indicated by the "first passenger mode" may include a control that excludes a method of notifying the driver of various information via sound. For example, the range of control indicated by the "first passenger mode" may include a control that limits the method of notifying the driver of various information to a vibration method such as steering vibration. This allows the passenger to ride in the vehicle VC more comfortably.

[0029] As the next example, consider the case where the passenger is a stranger. The range of control indicated by the "second passenger mode" may include control to restrict the display of a message app linked to the driver, or control to restrict the display of a photo / video app linked to the driver. In addition, the range of control indicated by the "second passenger mode" may include control to restrict the display of a favorites list in a music app. This makes it possible to prevent or suppress the driver's private information from being viewed by others. The driver's privacy can be secured. Furthermore, the privacy of the passenger linked to the driver's profile can also be secured.

[0030] Furthermore, when the passenger is a stranger, the range of control indicated by the "second passenger mode" may include control to limit the volume and tone of the warning sound to a predetermined range. The range of control indicated by the "second passenger mode" may include control to make the following distance in cruise control longer than the normal setting. This can prevent the stranger from feeling uncomfortable when riding in the car.

[0031] In addition, the "second passenger mode" may be modified based on the attributes of the passengers, etc., acquired by the sensor group 71. For example, when the attributes of the passengers indicate that the passengers are above a certain age, the range of control indicated by the "second passenger mode" may include mild driving settings (suspension and driving mode settings). This allows the passengers to ride in the vehicle VC more comfortably.

[0032] Furthermore, when the luggage associated with the occupant exceeds a predetermined size or weight, the range of control indicated by the "second passenger mode" may include control to change the position and posture of the seat in order to load the luggage. In addition, the range of control indicated by the "second passenger mode" may include control to lock and unlock the door of the trunk room of the vehicle VC. This allows the passenger to ride in the vehicle VC more comfortably.

[0033] The controller 100 (an example of a control unit or a processing unit) is a general-purpose microcomputer equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, and an input / output unit. A computer program (occupant detection program) for functioning as a part of the occupant detection device is installed in the controller 100. By executing the computer program, the controller 100 functions as a plurality of information processing circuits (110, 120, 130, 140, 150) equipped in the occupant detection device.

[0034] Here, an example is shown in which the multiple information processing circuits (110, 120, 130, 140, 150) of the occupant detection device are realized by software. However, it is also possible to configure the information processing circuits (110, 120, 130, 140, 150) by preparing dedicated hardware for executing each information process described below. Also, the multiple information processing circuits (110, 120, 130, 140, 150) may be configured by individual hardware. Furthermore, the information processing circuits (110, 120, 130, 140, 150) may also be used as electronic control units (ECUs) used for other vehicle-related controls.

[0035] The controller 100 includes a relative position calculation unit 110, a specific portable device extraction unit 120, a profile setting unit 130, a determination unit 140, and a mode setting unit 150 as a plurality of information processing circuits (110, 120, 130, 140, 150).

[0036] The relative position calculation unit 110 determines the relative position of the portable device with respect to the vehicle VC based on the received portable device radio wave. When multiple portable devices are located around the vehicle VC, the relative position calculation unit 110 determines the relative position of each portable device with respect to the vehicle VC.

[0037] For example, the relative position calculation unit 110 calculates a first distance between the receiver P1 and the portable device based on radio waves of the portable device received from the receiver P1 (first receiver). The relative position calculation unit 110 calculates a second distance between the receiver P2 and the portable device based on radio waves of the portable device received from the receiver P2 (second receiver). The relative position calculation unit 110 calculates a third distance between the receiver P3 and the portable device based on radio waves of the portable device received from the receiver P3 (third receiver). The relative position calculation unit 110 may calculate a fourth distance between the receiver P4 and the portable device based on radio waves of the portable device received from the receiver P4 (fourth receiver).

[0038] The relative position calculation unit 110 may specify the relative position of the portable device with respect to the vehicle VC by the principle of triangulation based on the first distance, the second distance, the third distance, and the fourth distance. Note that the relative position calculation unit 110 may specify the relative position of the portable device by using any three of the first distance, the second distance, the third distance, and the fourth distance.

[0039] The relative position calculation unit 110 may specify the relative position of the portable device with respect to the vehicle VC based on the arrival direction of the radio waves of the portable device received by the receivers P1 to P4. Furthermore, the relative position calculation unit 110 may specify the relative position of the portable device with respect to the vehicle VC based on the arrival direction of the radio waves of the portable device and the distance between the portable device and the receiver.

[0040] In addition, the relative position calculation unit 110 does not need to accurately measure the relative position of the portable unit with respect to the vehicle VC, and may specify whether the portable unit is on the driver's seat side or the passenger seat side with respect to the vehicle VC. Also, the relative position calculation unit 110 may specify whether the portable unit is on the front side or the rear side with respect to the vehicle VC.

[0041] For example, the relative position calculation unit 110 may calculate a first angle between a line segment connecting the portable unit and receiver P1 and a line segment connecting the portable unit and receiver P3, and calculate a second angle between a line segment connecting the portable unit and receiver P2 and a line segment connecting the portable unit and receiver P4. Then, the relative position calculation unit 110 may specify the relative position of the portable unit with respect to the vehicle VC based on the first angle and the second angle.

[0042] Furthermore, the relative position calculation unit 110 may determine that a portable device for which the first angle is greater than the second angle is located on the driver's seat side. On the other hand, the relative position calculation unit 110 may determine that a portable device for which the second angle is greater than the first angle is located on the passenger's seat side.

[0043] Alternatively, the relative position calculation unit 110 may calculate a third angle between a line segment connecting the portable device and receiver P1 and a line segment connecting the portable device and receiver P2, and may calculate a fourth angle between a line segment connecting the portable device and receiver P3 and a line segment connecting the portable device and receiver P4. Then, the relative position calculation unit 110 may specify the relative position of the portable device with respect to the vehicle VC based on the third angle and the fourth angle.

[0044] Furthermore, the relative position calculation unit 110 may determine that a portable unit for which the third angle is greater than the fourth angle is located at the front side of the vehicle. On the other hand, the relative position calculation unit 110 may determine that a portable unit for which the fourth angle is greater than the third angle is located at the rear side of the vehicle.

[0045] For example, assume that the portable device MP1 and the portable device MP2 are located around the vehicle VC as shown in Fig. 3. For the portable device MP1, the angle AG11 is the first angle and the angle AG12 is the second angle. On the other hand, for the portable device MP2, the angle AG21 is the first angle and the angle AG22 is the second angle.

[0046] The first angle is greater than the second angle for the portable device MP1. Therefore, the relative position calculation unit 110 determines that the portable device MP1 is located on the driver's seat side. On the other hand, the second angle is greater than the first angle for the portable device MP2. Therefore, the relative position calculation unit 110 determines that the portable device MP2 is located on the passenger seat side.

[0047] Based on the relative positions of the portable units identified by the relative position calculation unit 110, the specific portable unit extraction unit 120 extracts, from among the portable units located around the vehicle, the portable unit closest to the driver's seat ST1 of the vehicle VC as the specific portable unit.

[0048] For example, the specific portable device extraction unit 120 calculates the distance to the driver's seat ST1 for each portable device based on the relative position of the portable device. The specific portable device extraction unit 120 may extract the portable device having the shortest distance to the driver's seat ST1 as the specific portable device. The specific portable device extraction unit 120 may also extract the portable device closest to the first receiver from among the portable devices having the first angle larger than the above-mentioned second angle as the specific portable device.

[0049] The specific portable device extraction unit 120 may extract a portable device as a specific portable device when the door on the driver's seat ST1 side of the vehicle VC is opened. The positions of the portable devices located around the vehicle VC may change as the occupants move around the vehicle VC. Therefore, the portable device extracted as the specific portable device may vary depending on the timing. Therefore, the specific portable device extraction unit 120 may extract the portable device closest to the driver's seat ST1 of the vehicle VC as the specific portable device based on the positions of the portable devices at the timing when the door on the driver's seat ST1 side of the vehicle VC is opened.

[0050] The profile setting unit 130 sets the in-vehicle device 400 mounted on the vehicle VC with a profile associated with the specific portable device. For example, the profile setting unit 130 may detect an identifier (specific identifier) ​​for identifying the specific portable device from radio waves received from the specific portable device. The profile setting unit 130 may then read out the profile associated with the specific portable device from the database 73 based on the specific identifier.

[0051] The profile setting unit 130 sets the in-vehicle device 400 according to the setting contents of the in-vehicle device 400 contained in the read profile. This makes it possible to control the in-vehicle device 400 in accordance with the driver who uses the specific portable device.

[0052] The determination unit 140 determines whether or not there are other portable devices excluding the specific portable device among the portable devices that received the radio waves. In other words, the determination unit 140 may determine whether or not the portable devices that received the radio waves are composed only of the specific portable device.

[0053] Furthermore, the determination unit 140 may determine whether or not the other portable devices, excluding the specific portable device, among the portable devices that have received the radio waves are linked to the driver's profile.

[0054] The mode setting unit 150 sets a mode for controlling the in-vehicle device 400 based on the presence or absence of other portable devices excluding the specific portable device among the portable devices that have received radio waves by the receivers P1 to P4. For example, when the determination unit 140 determines that the portable devices that have received radio waves are composed only of the specific portable devices, the mode for controlling the in-vehicle device 400 may be set to the normal mode.

[0055] Moreover, when the determination unit 140 determines that all the other portable devices are linked to a profile, the mode setting unit 150 may set the mode for controlling the in-vehicle device 400 to the first passenger mode. Furthermore, when the determination unit 140 does not determine that all the other portable devices are linked to a profile, the mode setting unit 150 may set the mode for controlling the in-vehicle device 400 to the second passenger mode.

[0056] Additionally, the mode setting unit 150 may determine attributes of occupants other than the driver of the vehicle VC based on information from the sensor group 71. The mode setting unit 150 may modify and set the "second passenger mode" based on the attributes of the occupant, etc. acquired by the sensor group 71. In other words, the mode setting unit 150 may determine the control permitted in the in-vehicle device 400 in the second passenger mode based on the attributes of the occupant, etc.

[0057] [Processing procedure for occupant detection device] Next, a processing procedure of the occupant detection device according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the occupant detection device according to this embodiment.

[0058] The process shown in FIG. 2 may be executed repeatedly during a period when the vehicle VC is stopped before the driver gets into the driver's seat ST1, or may be executed repeatedly during a period when the vehicle VC is stopped after the driver gets out of the driver's seat ST1.

[0059] In step S101, the receivers P1 to P4 receive radio waves from portable devices located around the vehicle.

[0060] In step S103, the relative position calculation unit 110 specifies the relative position of the portable unit with respect to the vehicle VC, based on the received radio wave from the portable unit.

[0061] In step S105, the specific portable unit extraction unit 120 extracts, from among the portable units located around the vehicle, the portable unit closest to the driver's seat ST1 of the vehicle VC as a specific portable unit, based on the relative positions of the portable units.

[0062] In step S107, the profile setting unit 130 sets a profile in the in-vehicle device 400. That is, the profile setting unit 130 sets the in-vehicle device 400 mounted in the vehicle VC with the profile associated with the specific portable device.

[0063] In step S109, the determination unit 140 determines whether or not there are any other portable units other than the specific portable unit among the portable units that have received the radio wave.

[0064] If it is determined that no other portable device is present (NO in step S109), in step S111, the mode setting unit 150 sets the mode for controlling the in-vehicle device 400 to the normal mode.

[0065] On the other hand, if it is determined that another portable device is present (YES in step S109), in step S113, the determination unit 140 determines whether or not all the other portable devices are linked to the set profile.

[0066] If it is determined that all other portable devices are linked to the set profile (YES in step S113), in step S115, the mode setting unit 150 sets the mode for controlling the in-vehicle device 400 to the first passenger mode.

[0067] On the other hand, if it is determined that all the other portable devices are not linked to the set profile (NO in step S113), in step S117, mode setting unit 150 sets the mode for controlling in-vehicle device 400 to the second passenger mode.

[0068] [Effects of the embodiment] As described above in detail, the occupant detection method and the occupant detection device according to the present embodiment receive radio waves from one or more portable devices located around the vehicle using multiple receivers, and extract the portable device that is closest to the driver's seat of the vehicle as a specific portable device based on the relative positions of the portable devices with respect to the vehicle that are determined based on the radio waves. Then, the in-vehicle devices installed in the vehicle are set according to a profile associated with the specific portable device, and a mode for controlling the in-vehicle devices is set based on the presence or absence of other portable devices excluding the specific portable device among the portable devices.

[0069] This allows the in-vehicle system to be configured with a profile associated with the driver who drives the vehicle, and further allows the in-vehicle system to be controlled in different modes depending on the passenger who is riding with the driver in the vehicle, thereby improving the convenience of the driver and the passenger who rides in the vehicle.

[0070] In the occupant detection method and the occupant detection device according to the present embodiment, the multiple receivers may include at least a first receiver provided on the front side and the driver's seat side of the vehicle when viewed from the center of the vehicle body, a second receiver provided on the front side and the passenger's seat side of the vehicle, a third receiver provided on the rear side and the driver's seat side of the vehicle, and a fourth receiver provided on the rear side and the passenger's seat side of the vehicle. This makes it possible to accurately measure the positions of the portable devices located around the vehicle. Then, the portable device closest to the driver's seat of the vehicle among the portable devices can be extracted as the specific portable device.

[0071] Furthermore, the occupant detection method and occupant detection device according to the present embodiment may calculate a first distance between the portable device and the first receiver, a second distance between the portable device and the second receiver, a third distance between the portable device and the third receiver, and a fourth distance between the portable device and the fourth receiver based on the received radio waves. Then, the relative positions may be specified based on the first distance, the second distance, the third distance, and the fourth distance. This makes it possible to accurately measure the positions of the portable devices located around the vehicle. Then, it is possible to extract the portable device closest to the driver's seat of the vehicle from among the portable devices as the specific portable device.

[0072] Furthermore, the occupant detection method and the occupant detection device according to the present embodiment may calculate, based on the received radio waves, a first angle between a line segment connecting the portable device and the first receiver and a line segment connecting the portable device and the third receiver, and a second angle between a line segment connecting the portable device and the second receiver and a line segment connecting the portable device and the fourth receiver, and may specify a relative position based on the first angle and the second angle.

[0073] This makes it possible to identify the area in which portable units are located around the vehicle, and to extract the portable unit closest to the driver's seat of the vehicle as the specific portable unit.Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the calculation load required to identify the location of the portable unit.

[0074] Furthermore, the occupant detection method and occupant detection device according to the present embodiment may calculate, based on the received radio waves, a first angle sandwiched between a line segment connecting the portable unit and the first receiver and a line segment connecting the portable unit and the third receiver, and a second angle sandwiched between a line segment connecting the portable unit and the second receiver and a line segment connecting the portable unit and the fourth receiver.Then, when the driver's door of the vehicle is opened, among the portable units whose first angle is larger than the second angle, the portable unit closest to the first receiver may be extracted as a specific portable unit.

[0075] This makes it possible to identify the area in which portable units are located around the vehicle, and to extract the portable unit closest to the driver's seat of the vehicle as the specific portable unit.Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the calculation load required to identify the location of the portable unit.

[0076] The occupant detection method and the occupant detection device according to the present embodiment may be connected to a database that stores profiles linked to identifiers that identify portable devices, detect a specific identifier that identifies a specific portable device from the received radio waves, and read the profile from the database based on the specific identifier. This allows the in-vehicle device to be set based on the profile corresponding to the driver, and the in-vehicle device to be controlled according to the driver.

[0077] Furthermore, in the occupant detection method and occupant detection device according to the present embodiment, the mode may be a mode that is previously associated with a profile by a user of a specific portable device. This allows the content of control of the in-vehicle device, which differs for each passenger, to be managed by a profile corresponding to the driver. Furthermore, the in-vehicle device can be controlled in accordance with the passenger.

[0078] In addition, in the occupant detection method and the occupant detection device according to the present embodiment, when the portable device is composed of only a specific portable device, the mode may be set to a normal mode, and the normal mode may be a mode in which all control of the in-vehicle devices is permitted. In this way, when there is no passenger, all control is permitted, and a vehicle state that is convenient for the driver can be ensured.

[0079] Furthermore, the occupant detection method and occupant detection device according to the present embodiment may determine whether all other portable devices are linked to a profile, and when it is determined that all other portable devices are linked to a profile, set the mode to the first passenger mode. Also, when it is not determined that all other portable devices are linked to a profile, set the mode to the second passenger mode. Furthermore, the control permitted in the in-vehicle device in the first passenger mode and the control permitted in the in-vehicle device in the second passenger mode may be different.

[0080] This allows passengers linked to the driver's profile to control the in-vehicle devices permitted by the driver, improving the convenience of the vehicle. On the other hand, passengers not linked to the driver's profile are allowed to control only the minimum necessary in-vehicle devices, ensuring the privacy of the driver. Furthermore, the privacy of passengers linked to the driver's profile can also be ensured.

[0081] In addition, the occupant detection method and occupant detection device according to the present embodiment may be connected to a sensor that monitors the interior of the vehicle, and may determine attributes of occupants of the vehicle other than the driver based on information from the sensor, and may determine control permitted in the in-vehicle device in the second passenger mode based on the attributes. This allows the in-vehicle device to be controlled according to the attributes of the passenger that are not linked to the driver's profile. As a result, the convenience of the vehicle for the passenger can be improved.

[0082] Each of the functions described in the above embodiments may be implemented by one or more processing circuits, including a programmed processor, an electrical circuit, or a device such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a circuit component arranged to perform the described functions.

[0083] Although the contents of the present invention have been described above in accordance with the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these descriptions, and various modifications and improvements are possible, which will be obvious to those skilled in the art. The descriptions and drawings forming part of this disclosure should not be understood as limiting the present invention. Various alternative embodiments, examples, and operating techniques will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

[0084] Of course, the present invention includes various embodiments not described herein. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is defined only by the invention-specifying matters related to the scope of the claims appropriate from the above description. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 71 Sensors 73 Database 100 Controller 110 Relative position calculation unit 120 Specific mobile device extraction unit 130 Profile setting section 140 Judgment section 150 Mode setting section 400 Automotive equipment P1~P4 receivers VC Vehicle

Claims

1. An occupant detection method for an occupant detection device including a plurality of receivers that receive radio waves from one or a plurality of portable devices located around a vehicle, and a controller, comprising: The controller: extracting, as a specific portable device, a portable device that is closest to a driver's seat of the vehicle among the portable devices based on a relative position of the portable device with respect to the vehicle, the relative position being determined based on the radio waves; Configuring an in-vehicle device installed in the vehicle using a profile associated with the specific portable device; Setting a mode for controlling the in-vehicle device based on the presence or absence of other portable devices excluding the specific portable device among the portable devices. An occupant detection method comprising:

2. The plurality of receivers, as viewed from the center of the vehicle body, A first receiver provided on a front side and a driver's seat side of the vehicle; A second receiver provided at a front side and a passenger seat side of the vehicle; a third receiver provided on a rear side and a driver's seat side of the vehicle; a fourth receiver provided on a rear side and a passenger seat side of the vehicle; At least include The method for detecting an occupant according to claim 1 .

3. The controller: Based on the radio waves, a first distance between the portable device and the first receiver; a second distance between the portable device and the second receiver; a third distance between the portable device and the third receiver; a fourth distance between the portable device and the fourth receiver; Calculate determining the relative position based on the first distance, the second distance, the third distance, and the fourth distance; The occupant detection method according to claim 2 .

4. The controller: Based on the radio waves, a first angle defined by a line segment connecting the portable device and the first receiver and a line segment connecting the portable device and the third receiver; a second angle defined by a line segment connecting the portable device and the second receiver and a line segment connecting the portable device and the fourth receiver; Calculate determining the relative position based on the first angle and the second angle; The occupant detection method according to claim 2 .

5. The controller: Based on the radio waves, a first angle defined by a line segment connecting the portable device and the first receiver and a line segment connecting the portable device and the third receiver; a second angle defined by a line segment connecting the portable device and the second receiver and a line segment connecting the portable device and the fourth receiver; Calculate When a door on a driver's seat side of the vehicle is opened, the portable unit closest to the first receiver is extracted as the specific portable unit from among the portable units having the first angle larger than the second angle. The occupant detection method according to claim 2 .

6. The controller: a database that stores the profile associated with an identifier that identifies the portable device; A specific identifier for identifying the specific portable device is detected from the radio wave; Retrieving the profile from the database based on the specific identifier. The method for detecting an occupant according to claim 1 .

7. The mode is a mode that is previously associated with the profile by a user of the specific portable device. The method for detecting an occupant according to claim 1 .

8. The controller: When the portable device is composed of only the specific portable device, the mode is set to a normal mode; The normal mode is a mode in which all control of the in-vehicle devices is permitted. The occupant detection method according to any one of claims 1 to 7,

9. The controller: determining whether all the other portable devices are linked to the profile; When it is determined that all of the other portable devices are linked to the profile, the mode is set to a first passenger mode; When it is determined that all of the other portable devices are not linked to the profile, the mode is set to a second passenger mode; A control permitted in the in-vehicle device in the first passenger mode is different from a control permitted in the in-vehicle device in the second passenger mode. The occupant detection method according to any one of claims 1 to 7,

10. The controller: connected to a sensor monitoring the interior of the vehicle; determining attributes of occupants of the vehicle other than the driver based on information from the sensor; determining, based on the attribute, a control permitted in the in-vehicle device in the second passenger mode; The occupant detection method according to claim 9 .

11. An occupant detection device including a plurality of receivers that receive radio waves from one or a plurality of portable devices located around a vehicle, and a controller, The controller: extracting, as a specific portable device, a portable device that is closest to a driver's seat of the vehicle among the portable devices based on a relative position of the portable device with respect to the vehicle, the relative position being determined based on the radio waves; Configuring an in-vehicle device installed in the vehicle using a profile associated with the specific portable device; Setting a mode for controlling the in-vehicle device based on the presence or absence of other portable devices excluding the specific portable device among the portable devices. An occupant detection device comprising:

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